Finally have crap in my loop :( But what the heck is it?

[eponymous]

Hi all,

Long time no post - shame on me.

Well I was checking over my loops this evening and noticed this on my GPUs/MB loop:




The left pump top as you can see is fine, but the right one is full of a brown gunk stuck to the inside wall.

It's all over the inside of the tubing as well!

At first I thought this was algae but I can't see how. I'm using Petra's Silver Kill Coils in both loops and there have been no signs of algae in the last four years I've had them in there.

What could this be? Brass oxidation from the Thermochill rads? Has one of my blocks corroded? It seems so unlikely to be any of these. There are little fine particles of the same stuff visibly flying around in the water in the reservoir but the water itself is crystal clear.

Since it is a right hassle for me to take the loop apart (see worklog for pictures of the loop) I was wondering if I could do a lazy vinegar flush on this? Maybe just fill the loop with vinegar and run the pump for one hour?

The other reason I'm reluctant to take it apart is I can't easily get more Primochill UV tubing as I bought the last lot from the US.

Guys I'll be indebted to anyone that can help me out.

Cheers!

[Conumdrum]

Your gonna have to tear it down. There is other decent tubing out there. I think Primo fixed the issue, haven't heard much except one guy has bought some that is supposedly new stock.

Your ould tubing should clean up fine with a rag/dishsoap and coathanger wire.

Cleaning it now when YOU have time is better than the blocks clogging up at the most inopportune time.

How long has it been since you have maintained your loop, new water, teardown etc? Hmmm?

[eponymous]

It's been about a year since I drained it and re-filled.

Awww man, taking it apart will be a nightmare. The tubing will have to be replaced since it's 7/16" on 1/2" barbs - I don't trust putting already deformed tubing back on barbs so I will probably replace it.


You refer to Primochill fixing "the issue". What issue is that you mean?

[Conumdrum]

Thgey had a batch of tubing that clouded up really fast. Maybe 6 months ago? It's in a thread here.

[eponymous]

Ah ok thanks for the heads up.

DO you have a linky by any chance to that thread? I've done a few "site:xtremesystems.org" searches on Google but can't find any related posts.

Cheers.

[Conumdrum]

You try and search in these forums where the posts are? It was also discussed at http://www.overclockers.com/forums/

[eponymous]

"site:xtremesystems.org" does show all the posts for the site normally. It tends to be a better search utility than the built in one..

[eponymous]

I did find this link from PrimoChill: http://www.primochill.com/blog/plast...umor-debunked/

I wonder if I can fill the loop with their recommended "System Scrubber" solution to clean out the gunk.

I definetely don't want to take the loop apart now. If I could be sure I wasn't gettting the bad batch of tubing to replace it then I wouldn't mind so much.

I'm going to concentrate on finding a "gentle" cleaning solution that won't damage the O-rings and gaskets since I'm certain this isn't anything sutbborn liek Algae (which I've dealt with before). As a test I've left an O-Ring in some concetrated distilled vinegar for 24hrs to see how it holds up. I'll test the elasticity and general tensile strength and I'll let you all know my results.

[Conumdrum]

If you don't want to tear it down I really have no more recommendations.

[eponymous]

Anyone else have any suggestions?

[musicfan]

This is only a suggestion. Here is a search on XS - this forum - on plasticizer. Here is a thread from EOCF with photos and links. Sorry can't seem to link to OCF but there are also long threads on OCF and OCN when searching for "plasticizer".

I agree with Conumdrum you need to tear down. But I am not 100% certain it is plasticizer. I had Tygon break down to gray and Masterkleer to brown. Each had chunks of plasticizer in my reservoir but the water was always crystal clear. That shot of your reservoir looks brown and like your acrylic could be smeared. There could be corrosion somewhere. So how do you know for sure until you drain the coolant, examine the precipitate, and inspect your system? Not knowing the problem with certainty would drive me crazy.

You are due for annual tear-down even if all was well. I drain coolant every 6 months and do a tear-down every Spring even if all is well. That way I deal with my system on my schedule rather to try to avoid troubleshooting problems (have to do that enough). I use 7/16" ID tubing and started with all 1/2" barbs so it's not that big of a deal. It's a choice we make. You can always cut it off. If you don't like that, then change to compressions as I am slowly doing. I understand your reluctance, but IMO you will be better off and perhaps happier if you deal with your undiagnosed problem sooner rather than wait until plasticizer permanently smears your acrylic or something leaks from corrosion. In other words, your delay may cost you parts and money.

Although I do an annual tear-down with tubing replacement, that is not the only way. Gabe Rouchon from Swiftech recommends Pine-Sol. But at the very least, drain your coolant, diagnose your problem, and plan on a maintenance program that you will follow. All this is only my opinion and what works for me. Good luck.

[eponymous]

Thanks for your thoughts musicfan.

Out of interest the Pine-Sol contains Isopropyl alcohol according to that link you posted?

Isn't that bad for Acrylics such as the reservoir?

I wonder if the Swiftech guy can shed some light on this (does he still post on here?).

[zanzabar]

Thanks for your thoughts musicfan.

Out of interest the Pine-Sol contains Isopropyl alcohol according to that link you posted?

Isn't that bad for Acrylics such as the reservoir?

I wonder if the Swiftech guy can shed some light on this (does he still post on here?).

it is bad for heat treated acrylic, so i would only use water to clean. if you need a cleaning solution i think that a low consideration bleach mix is ok to use.

the other thing i was wondering about, if you use clamps why do you not trust reusing tubing, is using 7/8 id so stretched that is fragile?

[eponymous]

Well I ended up taking my loop apart after all.

Turns out my radiator was to blame and now leaks My bottom PA 120.3 has only lasted 3 years which is a shame and I can't buy the 24.5mm spaced ones anymore so have had to go for a ta 120.3 and move the one from the front of t he case to the bottom.

[musicfan]

If you can find the leak in the radiator, there are reports of radiator shops being able to repair water-cooling radiators. Is that worth a try?

[brammers]

Don't fancy buying an 24.5mm PA120.3 do you?

I have a spare when one of mine spring a leak. Replaced both with Coolgates, so it's in the loft, dry, with 3 Yate Mediums on it.

PM if interested.

J